Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy McDonald. As I have said in exchanges with her in the House before, the health service is funded to grow the number of staff this year and to hire more nurses and doctors. Yes, it has to live within its overall workforce ceilings. Of course, it does. All public agencies are meant to. However, funding has been provided for 2,200 new people to work in the public health service, and that number increases to 3,000 when disability services are included.

I have also confirmed in the context of UHL emergency department, which Deputy McDonald raised with me previously, that EDs are exempt from any recruitment restrictions. I will seek clarity as to when the Minister intends to publish his plan.

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